Low voltage drive circuit with digital to digital conversion and methods for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A low voltage drive circuit (LVDC) includes a digital to digital converter that converts transmit digital data into a digital input signal, wherein the transmit digital data is synchronized to a clock rate of a host device and the digital input signal is synchronized to a clock rate of a bus to which the LVDC is coupled. An output limited digital to analog is converter converts the digital input signal into analog outbound data by generating a DC component and converting the digital input signal into an oscillating component at a first frequency, wherein magnitude of the oscillating component is limited to a range that is less than a difference between magnitudes of power supply rails of the LVDS, and wherein the oscillating component and the DC component are combined to produce the analog outbound data. A drive sense circuit conveys the analog outbound data as variances in loading of the bus at the first frequency and wherein analog inbound data is represented within an analog receive signal as variances in loading of the bus at a second frequency.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present U.S. Utility Patent Application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No.17/032,748, entitled “LOW VOLTAGE DRIVE CIRCUIT WITH DIGITAL TO DIGITALCONVERSION AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH”, filed Sep. 25, 2020, which isa continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 16/875,239, entitled“LOW VOLTAGE DRIVE CIRCUIT WITH DIGITAL TO DIGITAL CONVERSION ANDMETHODS FOR USE THEREWITH”, filed May 15, 2020, issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,826,747 on Nov. 3, 2020, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.Utility application Ser. No. 16/854,379, entitled “LOW VOLTAGE DRIVECIRCUIT WITH RANGE LIMITS AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH”, filed Apr. 21,2020, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,733,133 on Aug. 4, 2020, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 16/246,772,entitled “LOW VOLTAGE DRIVE CIRCUIT WITH BUS ISOLATION AND METHODS FORUSE THEREWITH”, filed Jan. 14, 2019, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,684,977on Jun. 16, 2020, all of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entirety and made part of the present U.S. UtilityPatent Application for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to data communication systems and moreparticularly to sending and receive data via a common bus.

Description of Related Art

Data communication involves sending data from one device to anotherdevice via a communication medium (e.g., a wire, a trace, a twistedpair, a coaxial cable, air). The devices range from dies within anintegrated circuit (IC), to ICs on a printed circuit board (PCB), toPCBs within a computer, to computers, to networks of computers, and soon.

Data is communicated via a wired and/or a wireless connection and isdone so in accordance with a data communication protocol. Datacommunication protocols dictate how the data is to be formatted,encoded/decoded, transmitted, and received. For example, a wireless datacommunication protocol such as IEEE 802.11 dictates how wirelesscommunications are to be done via a wireless local area network. Asanother example, SPDIF dictates how digital audio signals aretransmitted and received. As yet another example, I²C is a two-wireserial protocol to connect devices such as microcontrollers, digital toanalog converters, analog to digital converters, peripheral devices to acomputer, and so on.

In addition, data communication protocols dictate how transmissionerrors are to be handled. For example, wireless communications oftenexperience data errors so the protocol dictates a form of forward errorcorrection (e.g., Reed Solomon encoding, Turbo encoded, etc.) be used.As another example, wired communication experience much less data errorsthan wireless communications so the protocol dictates a form of feedbackerror correction (e.g., resend request, etc.) be used.

For some data communications, digital data is modulated with an analogcarrier signal and transmitted/received via a modulated radio frequency(RF) signal. For other data communications, the digital data istransmitted “as is” via a wire or metal trace on a PCB. In a typicaldata communication protocol, digital data is in binary form where alogic “1” value is represented by a voltage that is at least 90% of thepositive rail voltage and a logic “0” is represented by a voltage it isat most 10% of the negative rail voltage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a datacommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a datacommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computingdevice in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a wirelesscomputing device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing coreof a computing device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a peripheral LowVoltage Drive Circuit (LVDC) module of a computing device coupled to aperipheral device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a datacommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a datacommunication system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of examples of digital data formats;

FIG. 10 is a functional diagram of an embodiment of an LVDC inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an LVDC coupledto a host device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drive sensecircuit of an LVDC coupled to a host device in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a drivesense circuit of an LVDC coupled to a host device in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an LVDCcoupled to a host device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an LVDCcoupled to a host device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an LVDCcoupled in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a transmit sideof one LVDC and a received side of another LVDC in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 18A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drive sensecircuit of an LVDC in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drive sensecircuit of an LVDC in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drive sensecircuit of an LVDC in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drive sensecircuit of an LVDC in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drive sensecircuit of an LVDC in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drive sensecircuit of an LVDC in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a signalgenerator of an LVDC in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a signalgenerator of an LVDC in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of adigital-to-digital converter of an LVDC in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter of an LVDC in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 27 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter and a digital-to-digital converter of anLVDC in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter and a digital-to-digital converter of anLVDC in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter and a digital-to-digital converter of anLVDC in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter and a digital-to-digital converter of anLVDC in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter and a digital-to-digital converter of anLVDC in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter and a digital-to-digital converter of anLVDC in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter and a digital-to-digital converter of anLVDC in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter of an LVDC in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 35 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 38 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 39 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordancewith the present invention; and

FIG. 40 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordancewith the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a datacommunication system 10 that includes a plurality of computing devices12, a plurality of wireless computing devices 14, one or more servers16, one or more databases 18, one or more networks 24, one or more basestations 20, and/or one or more wireless access points 22. Embodimentsof computing devices 12 and 14 are similar in construct and/orfunctionality with a difference being the computing devices 12 couple tothe network(s) 24 via a wired networked card and the wirelesscommunication devices 14 coupled to the network(s) via a wirelessconnection. In an embodiment, a computing device can have both a wirednetwork card and a wireless network card such that it is both computingdevices 12 and 14.

A computing device 12 and/or 14 may be a portable computing deviceand/or a fixed computing device. A portable computing device may be asocial networking device, a gaming device, a cell phone, a smart phone,a digital assistant, a digital music player, a digital video player, alaptop computer, a handheld computer, a tablet, a video game controller,and/or any other portable device that includes a computing core. A fixedcomputing device may be a computer (PC), a computer server, a cableset-top box, a satellite receiver, a television set, a printer, a faxmachine, home entertainment equipment, a video game console, and/or anytype of home or office computing equipment. The computing devices 12 and14 will be discussed in greater detail with reference to one or more ofFIGS. 3-4.

A server 16 is a special type of computing device that is optimized forprocessing large amounts of data requests in parallel. A server 16includes similar components to that of the computing devices 12 and/or14 with more robust processing modules, more main memory, and/or morehard drive memory (e.g., solid state, hard drives, etc.). Further, aserver 16 is typically accessed remotely; as such it does not generallyinclude user input devices and/or user output devices. In addition, anembodiment of a server is a standalone separate computing device and/ormay be a cloud computing device.

A database 18 is a special type of computing device that is optimizedfor large scale data storage and retrieval. A database 18 includessimilar components to that of the computing devices 12 and/or 14 withmore hard drive memory (e.g., solid state, hard drives, etc.) andpotentially with more processing modules and/or main memory. Further, adatabase 18 is typically accessed remotely; as such it does notgenerally include user input devices and/or user output devices. Inaddition, an embodiment of a database 18 is a standalone separatecomputing device and/or may be a cloud computing device.

The network(s) 24 includes one more local area networks (LAN) and/or oneor more wide area networks WAN), which may be a public network and/or aprivate network. A LAN may be a wireless-LAN (e.g., Wi-Fi access point,Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc.) and/or a wired network (e.g., Firewire,Ethernet, etc.). A WAN may be a wired and/or wireless WAN. For example,a LAN is a personal home or business's wireless network and a WAN is theInternet, cellular telephone infrastructure, and/or satellitecommunication infrastructure.

The computing devices 12, the wireless communication devices 14, theserver 16, the database 18, the base station 20, and/or the wirelessaccess point 22 include one or more low voltage drive circuits (LVDC)for communicating data via a line of a bus (e.g., a bus includes one ormore lines, each line is a wired connection, a wire, a trace on a PCB,etc.). The data communication is between devices and/or is within adevice. For example, two computing devices communicate with each othervia their respective LVDCs. As another example, components within acomputing device have associated LVDCs and the components communicatedata via the LVDCs.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a datacommunication system 10 that includes the computing devices 12, theserver 16, and the database 18 coupled to one or more lines of a LANbus. Each device 12, 16, and 18 includes one or more LVDCs 26 forcommunicating data via the line of the LAN bus 28.

An LVDC 26 functions to convert transmit digital data from its hostdevice into an analog transmit signal. As an example, a host device is acomputing device, a server, or a database. As another example, a hostdevice is an interface of one the computing device, the server, or thedatabase. As yet another example, a host device is an integrated circuitof the computing device, the server, or the database. As furtherexample, a host device is a die of an integrated circuit.

The LVDC 26 produces the analog transmit signal to have an oscillatingcomponent at a given frequency that represents the transmit digital dataand to have a very low magnitude. For example, the magnitude of theoscillating component is between five percent and 75 percent of the railto rail voltage (or current) of the LVDC (e.g., Vdd−Vss of the LVDC). Bykeeping the magnitude of the oscillating component very low with respectto the rail to rail voltage (or current), data is transmitted with verylow power and very good noise immunity. As a specific example, if thevoltage magnitude of the oscillating component is 25 mV (milli-volts)and the current is 0.1 mA (milli-amps), then the power is 2.5 μW(micro-watts).

The LVDC 26 also functions to convert an analog receive signal intoreceived digital data that is provided to its host. The analog receivesignal is an analog transmit signal from another LVDC of the same hostor a different host and is received from the same line of the bus aswhich the LVDC transmits its analog transmit signal. For an LVDC, theanalog receive signal is at the same frequency as its analog transmitsignal for half duplex communication and is at a different frequency offull duplex communication.

An LVDC 26 is capable of communicating data with one or more other LVDCsusing a plurality of frequencies. Each frequency supports a conveyanceof data. For example, the transmit digital data can be divided up intodata streams, where each data stream is transmitted on a differentfrequency of the analog transmit signal. This increases the data rateper line of the bus with very little increase in power. One or moreother LVDCs can receive the multiple frequencies of the analog transmitsignal, recover the data streams, and recover the transmitted digitaldata.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computingdevice 12 that includes a core control module 40, one or more processingmodules 42, one or more main memories 44 (e.g., volatile memory), cachememory 46, a video graphics processing module 48, a display 50, anInput-Output (I/O) peripheral control module 52, one or more input LVDCmodules 56, one or more output LVDC modules 58, one or more network LVDCmodules 60, one or more peripheral LVDC modules 34, and one or morememory LVDC modules 62. A processing module 42 is described in greaterdetail at the end of the detailed description of the invention sectionand, in an alternative embodiment, has a direction connection to themain memory 44. In an alternate embodiment, the core control module 40and the I/O and/or peripheral control module 52 are one module, such asa chipset, a quick path interconnect (QPI), and/or an ultra-pathinterconnect (UPI).

Each of the main memories 44 includes one or more Random Access Memory(RAM) integrated circuits, or chips. For example, a main memory 44includes four DDR4 (4^(th) generation of double data rate) RAM chips,each running at a rate of 2,400 MHz. In general, the main memory 44stores data and operational instructions most relevant for theprocessing module 42. For example, the core control module 40coordinates the transfer of data and/or operational instructions fromthe main memory 44 and the memory 64-66. The data and/or operationalinstructions retrieve from memory 64-66 are the data and/or operationalinstructions requested by the processing module or will most likely beneeded by the processing module. When the processing module is done withthe data and/or operational instructions in main memory, the corecontrol module 40 coordinates sending updated data to the memory 64-66for storage.

The memory 64-66 (i.e., non-volatile memory) includes one or more harddrives, one or more solid state memory chips, and/or one or more otherlarge capacity storage devices that, in comparison to cache memory andmain memory devices, is/are relatively inexpensive with respect to costper amount of data stored. The memory 64-66, which includes an LVDC, iscoupled to the core control module 40 via the I/O and/or peripheralcontrol module 52 and via one or more memory LVDC modules 62. In anembodiment, the I/O and/or peripheral control module 52 includes one ormore Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) buses to which peripheralcomponents connect to the core control module 40. A memory LVDC module62 includes a software driver and hardware as discussed in one or moresubsequent figures.

The core control module 40 coordinates data communications between theprocessing module(s) 42 and the network(s) 24 via the I/O and/orperipheral control module 52, the network LVDC module(s) 60, and anetwork card 68 or 70. A network card 68 or 70 includes an LVDC and awired communication unit. A wired communication unit includes a GigabitLAN connection, a Firewire connection, and/or a proprietary computerwired connection. A network LVDC module 60 includes a software driverand hardware as discussed in one or more subsequent figures.

The core control module 40 coordinates data communications between theprocessing module(s) 42 and input device(s) 72 via the input LVDCmodule(s) 56 and the I/O and/or peripheral control module 52. An inputdevice 72 includes an LVDC and further includes one or more of a keypad,a keyboard, control switches, a touchpad, a microphone, a camera, etc.An input LVDC module 56 includes a software driver and hardware asdiscussed in one or more subsequent figures.

The core control module 40 coordinates data communications between theprocessing module(s) 42 and output device(s) 74 via the output LVDCmodule(s) 58 and the I/O and/or peripheral control module 52. An outputdevice 74 includes an LVDC and a speaker, a tactile actuator, etc. Anoutput LVDC module 58 includes a software driver and hardware asdiscussed in one or more subsequent figures.

The core control module 40 coordinates data communications between theprocessing module(s) 42 and peripheral devices 36 and 38 via the I/Oand/or peripheral control module 52 and the peripheral LVDC module(s)34. A peripheral device 36 or 38 includes an external hard drive, aheadset, a speaker, a microphone, a thumb drive, a camera, etc. Aperipheral LVDC module 34 includes a software driver and hardware asdiscussed in one or more subsequent figures.

The core control module 40 communicates directly with a video graphicsprocessing module 48 to display data on the display 50. The display 50includes an LED (light emitting diode) display, an LCD (liquid crystaldisplay), and/or other type of display technology. The display has aresolution, an aspect ratio, and other features that affect the qualityof the display. The video graphics processing module 48 receives datafrom the processing module 42, processes the data to produce rendereddata in accordance with the characteristics of the display, and providesthe rendered data to the display 50. While not shown, the computingdevice 12 further includes a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) memorycoupled to the core control module 40.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a wirelesscomputing device 14 that includes a core control module 40, one or moreprocessing modules 42, one or more main memories 44 (e.g., volatilememory), cache memory 46, a video graphics processing module 48, adisplay 50, an Input-Output (I/O) peripheral control module 52, one ormore input LVDC modules 56, one or more output LVDC modules 58, one ormore wireless network LVDC modules 61, and one or more memory LVDCmodules 62. The common components of the wireless computing device 14and the computing device 12 function as discussed with reference to FIG.3. In this embodiment, communication with the network 24 is donewirelessly.

In particular, the core control module 40 coordinates datacommunications between the processing module(s) 42 and network(s) 24wirelessly via the I/O and/or peripheral control module 52, the wirelessnetwork LVDC module(s) 61, and a wireless network card 76 or 78. Awireless network card 76 or 78 includes an LVDC and a wirelesscommunication unit. A wireless communication unit includes a wirelesslocal area network (WLAN) communication device, a cellular communicationdevice, a Bluetooth device, and/or a ZigBee communication device. Awireless network interface module 61 includes a software driver andhardware as discussed in one or more subsequent figures.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing coreof a computing device 12 or 14. The computing core includes the corecontrol module 40, the processing module(s) 42, the main memory 44, thevideo graphics processing module 48, and the IO and/or peripheralcontrol module 52. These components are generally implemented asintegrated circuits (ICs) and mounted on a mother board. The motherboard includes traces that form buses for data to be communicatedbetween the components.

In this embodiment, the data communication between components 40-52 isdone via Low Voltage Drive Circuits (LVDCs). Each component 40-52includes one or more LVDCs for communicating with one or more othercomponents. For example, the core control module 40 includes four LVDC:A first for one-to-one communication with the processing module 42; asecond for one-to-one communication with the main memory 44; a third forone-to-one communication with the video graphics processing module 48;and a fourth for one-to-one communication with the IO and peripheralcontrol module 52.

In this embodiment, the core control module 40 is coupled to theprocessing module 42 via a single trace for data communicationthere-between. The core control module 40 is also coupled, via a singletrace, to the main memory 44, the video graphics processing module 48,and to the IO and peripheral control module 52. Similarly, theprocessing module 42 is coupled to the main memory via a single trace.In this manner, the number of traces on the mother board issubstantially reduced in comparison to mother boards that useconventional data communication between the components. In addition, thepower to convey data is substantially reduced in the present embodimentin comparison to a mother boards that use conventional datacommunication.

In an alternate embodiment, each of the core control module 40, theprocessing module(s) 42, the main memory 44, the video graphicsprocessing module 48, and the IO and/or peripheral control module 52includes one LVDC that is coupled to one or more lines of a bus. In anexample, the control controller 40 communicates with the processingmodule 42 using a first set of channels of a frequency band;communicates with main memory 44 using a second set of channels of thefrequency band; communicates with the video graphics processing module48 using a third set of channels of the frequency band; and communicateswith the IO and peripheral control module 52 using a fourth set ofchannels of the frequency band. As an example, the frequency band rangesfrom 1.000 GHz to 1.100 GHz with channels at frequencies every 10 MHz.As such, there are 11 channels: the first at 1.000 GHz, the second at1.010 GHz, and so on through the eleventh at 1.100 GHz. A specificchannel includes at least one sinusoidal signal at a particularfrequency within the frequency band that conveys data via amplitudeshift keying, phase shift keying, frequency shift keying, quadratureamplitude modulation, quadrature phase shift keying, another modulationtechnique and/or a combination thereof.

In another example of alternative embodiment, the channels are allocatedto the components on an as needed basis. For example, when the mainmemory has data to write to memory device(s) via the IO and/orperipheral control module 52, one or more channels are allocated forthis communication. When the data has been conveyed, the allocatedchannels are released for reallocation to another communication.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a peripheral LowVoltage Drive Circuit (LVDC) module 34 of a computing device 12 coupledto a peripheral device 36 via LVDCs 26. The LVDCs are coupled togethervia one or more lines of a bus 80. The devices communicate data in afull duplex mode per line using multiple channels or in a half duplexmode per line using a single channel. For example, the LVDC ofperipheral LVDC module 34 uses channels 1-3 (e.g., frequencies 1-3 ofthe frequency band) to transmit data to the LVDC of the peripheraldevice 36. In addition, the LVDC of the peripheral device 36 useschannels 4-6 (e.g., frequencies 4-6 of the frequency band) to transmitdata to the LVDC of the peripheral LVDC module 34.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a datacommunication system that includes a plurality of devices 82-1 through82-6. Each of the devices includes a Low Voltage Drive Circuit (LVDC) 26coupled to one or more lines of a bus 80. The devices are one or moredevices from a list that includes a die of an integrated circuit (IC),an integrated circuit (IC), a printed circuit board with componentsmounted thereon, a sub-system of a plurality of printed circuit boards.

The devices communicate with each other via their respective LVDCs andthe one or more lines of the bus. For each line of the bus, the LVCDsare assigned (e.g., permanently, on an as needed basis, etc.) channelsto transmit data to one or more other devices. An LVCD of a device istuned to the channel(s) of another device to receive the datatransmissions from the other device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a datacommunication system that includes a plurality of devices 1-x. Each ofthe devices includes a Low Voltage Drive Circuit (LVDC) 26 coupled toone or more lines of a bus 80. The types of devices vary. For example,device 1 is an interface device that includes a limited amount ofadditional circuitry beyond the LVDC 26. In particular, device 1 doesnot include a processing module 86 or memory 84 (e.g., volatile ornon-volatile memory). Device 1 is coupled to the processing module 86 ofa next level higher component of a computing device. The processingmodule 86 coupled to device 1 is also coupled to memory 84.

Device 2 includes the LVDC and the processing module 86. The memory 84,however, is associated with the next higher component of the computingdevice. Device x includes the LVDC, the processing module 86, and thememory 84. As an example, the bus 84 is a backplane of server; device 1is an interface for a thumb drive; device 2 is a video graphics card,and device x is a mother board. Regardless of the specificimplementation of a device including an LVDC, a driver for the LVDC isstored in the memory 84.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of examples of digital data formats.As known, digital data is a string of binary values. A binary value iseither a logic “1” or a logic “0”. One binary value corresponds to a bitof the digital data. How the bits are organized into data wordsestablishing the meaning for of the data words. For example, AmericanStandard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) defines charactersusing 8-bits of data. For example, a capital “A” is represented as thebinary value of 0100 0001 and a lower case “a” is represented as thebinary value of 0110 0001.

A binary value can be expressed in a variety of forms. In a firstexample format, a logic “1” is expressed as a positive rail voltage forthe duration of a 1-bit clock interval and logic “0” is expressed as anegative rail voltage for the duration of the 1-bit clock interval; orvice versa. The positive rail voltage refers to a positive supplyvoltage (e.g., Vdd) that is provided a digital circuit (e.g., a circuitthat processes and/or communicates digital data as binary values), thenegative rail voltage refers to a negative supply voltage or ground(e.g., Vss) that is provided to the digital circuit, and the common modevoltage (e.g., Vcm) is half way between Vdd and Vss. The 1-bit clockinterval corresponds to the inverse of a 1-bit data rate. For example,if the 1-bit data rate is 1 Giga-bit per second (Gbps), then the 1-bitclock interval is 1 nano-second).

In a second example format, a logic “1” is expressed as a non-return tozero waveform that, for the first half of the 1-bit interval, is at thepositive rail voltage (Vdd) and for the second half of the 1-bitinterval is at the negative rail voltage (Vss). A logic “0” is expressedas a non-return to zero waveform that, for the first half of the 1-bitinterval, is at the negative rail voltage (Vss) and for the second halfof the 1-bit interval is at the positive rail voltage (Vdd).Alternatively, a logic “0” is expressed as a non-return to zero waveformthat, for the first half of the 1-bit interval, is at the positive railvoltage (Vdd) and for the second half of the 1-bit interval is at thenegative rail voltage (Vss). A logic “1” is expressed as a non-return tozero waveform that, for the first half of the 1-bit interval, is at thenegative rail voltage (Vss) and for the second half of the 1-bitinterval is at the positive rail voltage (Vdd).

In a third example format, a logic “1” is expressed as a return to zerowaveform that, for the first half of the 1-bit interval, is at thepositive rail voltage (Vdd) and for the second half of the 1-bitinterval is at the common mode voltage (Vcm). A logic “0” is expressedas a return to zero waveform that, for the first half of the 1-bitinterval, is at the negative rail voltage (Vss) and for the second halfof the 1-bit interval is at the common mode voltage (Vcm).Alternatively, a logic “0” is expressed as a return to zero waveformthat, for the first half of the 1-bit interval, is at the positive railvoltage (Vdd) and for the second half of the 1-bit interval is at thecommon mode voltage (Vcm). A logic “1” is expressed as a return to zerowaveform that, for the first half of the 1-bit interval, is at thenegative rail voltage (Vss) and for the second half of the 1-bitinterval is at the common mode voltage (Vcm).

With any of the digital data formats, a logic value needs to be within10% of a respective rail voltage to be considered in a steady databinary condition. For example, for format 1, a logic 1 is not assureduntil the voltage is at least 90% of the positive rail voltage (Vdd). Asanother example, for format 1, a logic 0 is not assured until thevoltage is at most 10% of the negative rail voltage (Vss).

FIG. 10 is a functional diagram of an embodiment of a Low Voltage DriveCircuit (LVDC) 26. In general, the LVDC 26 functions to convert transmit(TX) digital data 88 into an analog transmit signal 96 and to convert ananalog receive signal 98 into receive (RX) digital data 90. The LVDC 26receives the transmit digital data 88 from its host device and transmitsthe analog TX signal 96 to another LVDC coupled to the line of the bus80. The analog transmit signal 96 includes a DC component 92 and anoscillating component 94. The oscillating component 94 includes dataencoded into one or more channels of a frequency band and has a very lowmagnitude (e.g., 5% to 75% of the rail to rail voltage and/or currentpowering the LVDC and/or the host device). This allows for low powerhigh data rate communications in comparison to conventional low voltagesignaling protocols.

As an example, the transmit digital data is encoded into one channel, assuch the oscillating component include one frequency: the onecorresponding to the channel. As another example, the transmit digitaldata is divided into x number of data streams. The LVDC encoded the xnumber of data streams on to x number of channels. Thus, the oscillatingcomponent 94 includes x number of frequencies corresponding to the xnumber of channels in transmit range of frequencies. Furthermore, whileshown as a simple sinusoid for the purposes of illustration, theoscillating component 94 conveys data via amplitude shift keying, phaseshift keying, frequency shift keying, quadrature amplitude modulation,quadrature phase shift keying, another modulation technique and/or acombination thereof.

The LVDC 26 receives the analog receive signal 98 from another LVDC(e.g., the one it sent its analog TX signal to and/or another LVDCcoupled to the line of the bus 80). The analog receive signal 98includes a DC component 100 and a receive oscillating component 102. Thereceive oscillating component 102 includes data encoded into one or morechannels of a frequency band by the other LVDC and has a very lowmagnitude. The LVDC converts the analog receive signal 98 into thereceive digital data 90, which its provides to its host device.Furthermore, while shown as a simple sinusoid for the purposes ofillustration, the oscillating component 104 conveys data via amplitudeshift keying, phase shift keying, frequency shift keying, quadratureamplitude modulation, quadrature phase shift keying, another modulationtechnique and/or a combination thereof.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a Low VoltageDrive Circuit (LVDC) 26 coupled to a host device 104 and to one or morelines of a bus 80. The host device 104 includes a processing module 114and memory 112 (e.g., volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory). Thememory 116 stores at least part of an LVDC driver 116 application. TheLVDC 26 includes a drive sense circuit 106, a receive analog to digitalconverter (ADC) circuit 108, and a transmit digital to analog converter(DAC) circuit 110.

In an example of operation, the processing module 104 of the host device104 accesses the LVDC driver 116 to set up the LVDC 26 for operation.For example, the LVDC driver 116 includes operational instructions andparameters that enable the host device 104 to effectively use the LVDCfor data communications. For example, the parameters include two or moreof: one or more communication scheme parameters; one or more dataconveyance scheme parameters, one or more receive parameters, and one ormore transmit parameters. A communication scheme parameter is one of:independent communication (e.g., push data to other device withoutprompting from other device); dependent communication (e.g., push orpull data to or from other device with coordination between thedevices); one to one communication; one to many communication; many toone communication; many to many communication; half duplexcommunication; and full duplex communication.

A data conveyance scheme parameter is one of: a data rate per line; anumber of bits per data rate interval; data coding scheme per line andper number of bits per data rate interval; direct data communication;modulated data communication; power level of signaling per line of thebus; voltage/current level for a data coding scheme per line (e.g.,function of signal to noise ratio, power level, and data rate); numberof lines in the bus; and a number of lines of the bus to use.

A receive parameter can include one of: a digital data format for thereceived digital data; a packet format for the received digital data;analog to digital conversion scheme in accordance with parameter(s) ofthe communication scheme and of the data conveyance scheme oftransmitted data by other LVDCs; and digital filtering parameters (e.g.,bandwidth, slew rate, center frequency, digital filter coefficients,number of taps of digital filtering, stages of digital filtering, etc.).

A transmit parameter can include one of: a digital data format for thetransmit digital data; a packet format for the transmit digital data;and digital to analog conversion in accordance with parameter(s) of thecommunication scheme and of the data conveyance scheme.

Once the LVDC 26 is set up for a particular data communication, thetransmit DAC circuit 110 receives the transmit digital data 90 from itshost device 104 in one of the formats of FIG. 9, or another format, andat a data rate of the host device (e.g., 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, etc.) Ifnecessary, the transmit DAC circuit 110 converts the format of thetransmit digital data 90 in accordance with one or more transmitparameters 132. In addition, the transmit DAC circuit 110 synchronizesthe transmit digital data with a bus data rate (e.g., the data rate atwhich data is transmitted via a line of the bus 80) to produce a digitalinput of n-bits per interval of the bus data rate, where “n” is aninteger greater than or equal to one.

The transmit DAC circuit 110 converts the digital input into analogoutbound data 134 via a range limited digital to analog converter (DAC)and a DC reference source. The drive sense circuit 106 converts theanalog outbound data 134 into the analog transmit signal 96 and drivesit on to a line of the bus 80.

The drive sense circuit 106 receives the analog receive signal 98 fromthe bus 80 and converts it into analog inbound data 124. The receive ADCcircuit 108 converts the analog inbound data 124 into digital inbounddata. The receive ADC circuit 108 filters the digital inbound data inaccordance with one or more receive parameters 126 to produce thefiltered data. The receive ADC circuit 108 formats and packetizes thefiltered data in accordance with one or more receive parameters 126 toproduce the received digital data 88. The receive ADC circuit 108provides the received digital data 128 to the host device 104.

In various embodiments, the transmit analog to digital circuit 110 isconfigured to convert transmit digital data 90 into analog outbound data134. The receive analog to digital circuit 108 is configured to convertanalog inbound data 124 into received digital data 88. The drive sensecircuit 106 is configured to perform operations that, for example,include:

-   -   a) converting the analog outbound data 134 into an analog        transmit signal 96;    -   b) driving the analog transmit signal 96 onto the bus 80,        wherein the analog outbound data 134 is represented within the        analog transmit signal 96 as variances in loading of the bus 80        at a first frequency;    -   c) receiving an analog receive signal 98 from the bus 80; and    -   d) isolating the analog receive signal 98 from the analog        transmit signal 96 to recover the analog inbound data 124,        wherein the analog inbound data 124 is represented within the        analog receive signal 98 as variances in loading of the bus 80        at a second frequency that differs from the first frequency.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drive sensecircuit 106 of a Low Voltage Drive Circuit (LVDC) 26 coupled to one ormore lines of a bus 80. The line(s) of the bus are coupled to one ormore other LVDCs. The drive sense circuit 106 includes a changedetection circuit 150, a regulation circuit 152, and a power sourcecircuit 154.

In various embodiments, the change detection circuit 150 is configuredto generate the analog inbound data 124 in response to the analogreceive signal 98 and the analog outbound data 134. The regulationcircuit is configured to generate the regulation signal 160 in responseto the analog inbound data 124. The power source circuit 154 isconfigured to generate the analog transmit signal 96 in response to theregulation signal 160. The change detection circuit 150 can include anoperational amplifier or a comparator. The power source circuit 154 caninclude a regulated current source or voltage source configured togenerate the analog transmit signal 96 in response to the regulationsignal 160.

The change detection circuit 150, the regulation circuit 152, and thepower source circuit 154 operate in concert to keep the inputs of thechange detection circuit 150 to substantially match (e.g., voltage tosubstantially match, current to substantially match, impedance tosubstantially match). The inputs to the change detection circuit 150include the analog outbound data 134 and the signals on the line(s) ofthe bus 80 (e.g., the analog RX signal 98 and the analog TX signal 96).

When there is no analog RX signal, the only signal on the bus is theanalog transmit signal 96. The analog transmit signal is created byadjusting the operation of the change detection circuit 150, theregulation circuit 152, and the power source circuit 154 to match theanalog outbound data 134. Since the analog transmit signal 96 tracks theanalog outbound data 134 within the drive sense circuit 106, when thereis no analog RX signal 98, the analog inbound data 124 is a DC value.

When an analog RX signal 98 is being received, the change detectioncircuit 150, the regulation circuit 152, and the power source circuit154 continue to operate in concert to keep the inputs of the changedetection circuit 150 to substantially match. With the presence of theanalog RX signal 98, the output of the change detection circuit 150 willvary based on the analog RX signal 98, which produces the analog inbounddata 124. The regulation circuit 152 converts the analog inbound data124 into a regulation signal 160. The power source circuit 154 adjuststhe generation of its output (e.g., a regulated voltage or a regulatedcurrent) based on the regulation signal 160 to keep the inputs of thechange detection circuit 150 substantially matching.

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a drivesense circuit 106 of an LVDC 26 coupled to one or more lines of a bus80. The drive sense circuit 106 includes the change detection circuit150, the regulation circuit 152, the power source circuit 154, and adata input circuit 155. The change detection circuit 150, the regulationcircuit 152, and the power source circuit 154 function as discussed withreference to FIG. 14 to keep the inputs of the change detection circuit150 substantially matching. In this embodiment, however, the inputs tothe change detection circuit 150 are the signals on the bus (e.g., theanalog transmit signal 96 and the analog receive signal 98) and ananalog reference signal 163 (e.g., a DC voltage reference signal or DCcurrent reference signal). The analog outbound data 134 is inputted tothe data input circuit 155.

In the example shown, the change detection circuit 150 is configured togenerate the analog inbound data 124 in response to the analog receivesignal 98, an analog reference signal 163 and the analog outbound data134. The data input circuit 155 creates the analog transmit signals 96from the analog outbound data 134 and drives it on to the bus 80. In anexample, the data input circuit 155 changes the loading on the bus inaccordance with the analog inbound data 134 to produce the analogtransmit signal 96.

Since the analog transmit signal 156 is being created outside of thefeedback loop of the change detection circuit 150, the regulationcircuit 152, and the power source circuit 154, the analog inbound data124 will include a component corresponding to the analog receive signal98 and another component corresponding to the analog transmit signal 96.

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a LowVoltage Drive Circuit (LVDC) 26 coupled to a host device 104 and to oneor more lines of a bus 80. The host device 104 includes a processingmodule 114 and memory 112 (e.g., volatile memory and/or non-volatilememory). The memory 116 stores at least part of an LVDC driver 116application. The LVDC 26 includes a drive sense circuit 106, a receiveanalog to digital converter (ADC) circuit 108, a transmit digital toanalog converter (DAC) circuit 110, a clock circuit 138, and acontroller 140. The drive sense circuit 106, the receive ADC circuit108, and the transmit DAC circuit 110 function as previously discussedwith reference to FIG. 11.

The controller 140 is configured to set transmit parameters of thetransmit analog to digital circuit 110 and the transmit analog todigital circuit 110 converts the transmit digital data 90 into theanalog outbound data 134 in accordance with the transmit parameters 132.The controller 140 is further configured to set receive parameters 126of the receive analog to digital circuit 108 and the receive analog todigital circuit 108 converts the analog inbound data 124 into thereceived digital data 88 in accordance with the receive parameters 126.The clock circuit is configured to generate one or more receive clocksignals 180 and one or more transmit clock signals 184. The transmitanalog to digital circuit 110 converts the transmit digital data 90 intothe analog outbound data 134 in accordance with timing set by thetransmit clock signal(s) 184. The receive analog to digital circuit 108converts the analog inbound data 124 into the received digital data 88in accordance with timing set by the receive clock signal(s) 180.Furthermore, the controller 140 is configured to generate a clockcontrol signal 133. The clock circuit 138 generates the receive clocksignal(s) 180 and the transmit clock signal(s) 184 in accordance withand under control by the clock control signal 133.

For example, the processing module 104 of the host device 104 accessesthe LVDC driver 116 to determine control information 146 to set up theLVDC 26 for operation. The processing module provides the controlinformation 146 to the controller 140, which generates the receiveparameters 126, the transmit parameters 132, and clock control signals133 from the control information 146. In addition, the controller 140determine one or more communication scheme parameters and/or one or moredata conveyance scheme parameters based on the control information 140.

In an embodiment, the controller 140 is a processing module withassociated memory. The memory (e.g., volatile and/or non-volatile)stores a plurality of look up tables: one for the communicationparameters; a second for the data conveyance scheme parameters; a thirdfor the transmit parameters 132; a fourth for the receive parameters126; and a fifth for clock control parameters 133 (e.g., clock ratesettings, duty cycle settings, etc.).

The clock circuit 138 is operable to create one or more transmit clocksignals 184 and to create one or more receive clock signals 180 based onthe clock control parameters, or information, 133. For example, theclock circuit 138 generates a first receive clock signal for outputtingthe receive digital data 88 to the host device 104 and a second receiveclock for converting the analog inbound data 124 into digital inbounddata. As another example, the clock circuit 138 generates a firsttransmit clock for receiving the transmit digital data 90 from the hostdevice and a second transmit clock for converting the transmit digitaldata 90 into the analog outbound data 134.

FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a LowVoltage Drive Circuit (LVDC) 26 coupled to a host device 104 and to oneor more lines of a bus 80. This embodiment of the LVDC 26 is similar tothat of FIG. 12 with the exception that this embodiment does not includethe controller 140. As such, the processing module 114 generates thereceive parameters 126, the clock control information 133, and thetransmit parameters 132. The processing module 114 also generates theone or more communication scheme parameters and the one or more dataconveyance scheme parameters.

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a LowVoltage Drive Circuit (LVDC) 26 coupled to a host device 104 and to oneor more lines of a bus 80. The LVDC 26 includes a drive sense circuit106, a receive analog to digital circuit 108, a transmit digital toanalog circuit 110, and a clock circuit 138. The clock circuit 138includes a reference signal generator 168, a receive (RX) clock circuit166, and a transmit (TX) clock circuit 170. The reference signalgenerator 168 may be implemented in a variety of ways to produce areference clock signal 181. For example, the reference signal generator168 is a phase locked loop (PLL) with an input clock from the hostdevice or from a crystal oscillator. As another example, the referencesignal generator 168 is a digital frequency synthesizer. As yet anotherexample, the reference signal generator 168 is an oscillator.

The transmit clock circuit 170 includes one or more of: one or morefrequency dividers, one or more frequency multipliers, one or more phaseshift circuits, and one or more PLLs to generate transmit clock signals184 from the reference clock signal 181. For example, the host clocksignal 183 is a 2.000 GHz clock. The reference signal generator 168creates a reference clock signal 181 of 2.100 GHz from the host clocksignal. The transmit clock circuit 170 generates a 2.000 GHz clock usedby the signal generator 144 to receive the transmit digital data 90 fromthe host device 104 in sync with the host clock signal 183. The transmitclock circuit 170 also generates a 2.010 GHz clock signal for a transmitchannel having a 2.010 GHz frequency. The transmit digital to analogcircuit 110 uses the 2.010 GHz clock signal to generate the analogoutbound data 134 to be in sync with a bus clock.

The receive clock circuit 166 also includes one or more of: one or morefrequency dividers, one or more frequency multipliers, one or more phaseshift circuits, and one or more PLLs to generate receive clock signals180 from the reference clock signal 181. For example, the host clocksignal 183 is a 2.000 GHz clock. The reference signal generator 168creates a reference clock signal 181 of 2.100 GHz from the host clocksignal. The receive clock circuit 166 generates a 2.020 GHz clock signalfor a receive channel having a 2.020 GHz frequency. The digital outputcircuit 136 uses the 2.020 GHz clock signal to receive the analoginbound data 124 in sync with the bus clock. The receive clock circuit166 also generates a 2.000 GHz clock used by the receive analog todigital circuit 108 to provide the received digital data 88 to the hostdevice 104 in sync with the host clock signal 183.

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a transmit sideof a first Low Voltage Drive Circuit (LVDC) coupled to a received sideof a second LVDC via one or more lines of a bus 80. The transmit side ofthe LVDC #1 includes a data splitter 190, a plurality of channel buffers(i through i+y), a plurality of signal generators (i through i+y), asignal combiner 192, and a drive sense circuit 106. With reference toFIGS. 11, and 14-16, the data splitter 190, the channel buffers (ithrough i+y), the signal generators (i through i+y), and the signalcombiner 192 are included in the transmit digital to analog circuit 110.

The receive side of LVDC #2 includes a drive sense circuit 106, aplurality of digital bandpass filter circuits (BPF i through I+y), aplurality of channel buffers (i through i+y), and a data combiner 194.With reference to FIGS. 11, and 14-16, the digital bandpass filtercircuits (BPF i through I+y), the channel buffers (i through i+y), andthe data combiner 194 are included in the receive analog to digitalcircuit 108.

In an example, the data splitter 190 receives the transmit digital data90 and divides it into a plurality of data streams. A correspondingchannel buffer stores a data stream. For instance, channel buffer istores data stream i; channel buffer i+1 stores data stream i+1, and soon. The data streams are written into the channel buffers in accordancewith the host data rate. The data, however, is read out of the channelbuffers in accordance with transmit clock rates for each of the signalgenerators. The transmit clocks corresponds to the frequency of thechannel being used by a signal generator.

Each enabled signal generator uses a different channel to convert bitsof its respective data stream into respective portions of the analogoutbound data 134. For example, signal generator i uses channel 1, whichhas a first frequency (f1), signal generator i+1 uses channel 2, whichhas a second frequency (f2), and so on, up to the yth frequency (fy).Note that, one or more of the signal generators is activated to convertthe transmit digital data 90 into the analog outbound data 134.

As a specific example, signal generator i converts n-bits of its datastream at a time into an analog signal component of the analog outbounddata 134, where n is an integer greater than or equal to one. For ann-bit sample of its data stream, the signal generator encodes the n-bitsample into a sinusoidal signal having a frequency at f1 using amplitudeshift keying (ASK) signal, a phase shift keying (PSK) signal, afrequency shift keying (FSK) signal (e.g. using two or moresubcarriers), a quadrature amplitude modulation(QAM) signal, quadraturephase shift keying (QPSK) signal, another modulation technique and/or acombination thereof. Signal generator i+1 functions similarly byencoding an n-bit sample of its data stream into a sinusoidal signalhaving a frequency at f2 using ASK, PSK, FSK, QPSK, QAM, etc. The analogoutbound data 134 can be represented by the frequency domain graph 199-1that shows frequency components of the transmit signal at frequenciesf1, f2 . . . fy.

The drive sense circuit 106 of the first LVDC converts the analogoutbound data 134 into an analog transmit signal 96, which it transmitson to a line of the bus 80. The drive sense circuit 106 of the secondLVDC receives it as an analog receive signal 98 and converts it intoanalog inbound data 124. The analog inbound data 124 can be representedby the frequency domain graph 199-2 that shows frequency components ofthe received signal at frequencies f1, f2 . . . fy. As such, withoutconversion, transmission, or reception errors, the analog inbound data124 is substantially identical to the analog outbound data 134.

It should be noted that, while the frequency components of the analogoutbound data 134 and analog inbound data 124 are shown as simplesinusoids for the purposes of illustration, the frequency componentsinclude data modulation to conveys data via amplitude shift keying,phase shift keying, frequency shift keying, quadrature amplitudemodulation, quadrature phase shift keying, another modulation techniqueand/or a combination thereof.

Each digital bandpass filter (BPF) circuit includes an analog to digitalconverter and a digital bandpass filter. Each active digital BPF circuitreceives the analog inbound data 124. In addition, each active digitalBPF circuit is tuned for a different channel. For example, digital BPFcircuit i is tuned for frequency 1, digital BPF circuit i+1 is tuned forfrequency 2, and so on. As such, digital BPF circuit i converts theanalog inbound data into digital inbound data, filters it, and outputsthe n-bit digital values corresponding to the data stream processed bysignal generator i. Similarly, digital BPF circuit i+1 converts theanalog inbound data into digital inbound data, filters it, and outputsthe n-bit digital values corresponding to the data stream processed bysignal generator i+1; and so on.

The channel buffers of the receive side of LVDC store the n-bit digitalvalues outputted by their respective digital BPF circuits. The datacombiner 194 retrieves data from the channel buffers and periodicallyoutputs the received digital data 88. For example, a block of data isinputted into the data splitter 190 in accordance with a data rate ofthe host device (host 1) coupled to the first LVDC. As a specificsimplified example, assume the data block includes 24-bits and isclocked into the data splitter serially over 24 intervals of a dataclock of host 1. Further assume that the 24-bits are divided into threedata streams (y=3), each 8-bits (n=8). As such, three paths will beactivated between the data splitter 190 of LVDC #1 and the data combiner194 of LVDC #2.

Each activated path operates independent of the other paths and atdifferent rates to process their respective data streams of the datablock. For example, the first path (e.g., signal generator i throughdigital BPF circuit i) operates in accordance with frequency f1, whichis at slightly higher frequency than that of the data rate of host 1;the second path (e.g., signal generator i+1 through digital BPF circuiti+1) operates in accordance with frequency f2, which is at slightlyhigher frequency than that of frequency f1; and the third path (e.g.,signal generator i+2 through digital BPF circuit i+2) operates inaccordance with frequency f3, which is at slightly higher frequency thanthat of frequency f2.

Continuing with the simplified example, further assume that the dataclock of host 1 is 1.000 GHz for a 125 Mega Byte per second (MBps) datarate, which corresponds to a 1 Gbps data rate; data is provided to thedata splitter a byte at a time; frequency f1 is at 1.010 GHz, frequencyf2 is at 1.020 GHz, and frequency f2 is at 1.030 GHz. There are avariety of ways the data splitter 190 can divide the data and put itinto the channel buffers. For example, the data splitter 190 uses abit-by-bit round robin distribution.

As data is put into the channel buffers on the transmit side, the signalgenerators begin to process them. In this example, a bit at a time.Since signal generator i+2 is operating at a rate that is faster thanthe other two signal generates, it will finish processes its 8-bitsslightly before the others. As such, digital BPF circuit i+2 will finishrecovering the 8-bits of data slightly before the other digital BPFcircuits. The timing difference is compensated for by the buffers oneach end such that, as 24-bits goes into the transmitting LVDC at therate of the first host device, the same 24-bits will come out of thereceiving LVDC at the rate of the host device of the second LVDC.

FIG. 18A is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drive sensecircuit of an LVDC in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, an implementation of drive sense circuit 106 is shown alongwith analog to digital converter (ADC) 202 and digital to analogconverter (DAC) 204. In particular, the ADC 202 generates digitalinbound data 177 from the analog inbound data 124 for use, for example,in the first stage of a digital output operation, such as the remainingcomponents of digital BPF circuits i, i+1 . . . i+y of LVDC #2 of FIG.17.

As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 11, the drive sense circuit 106 isconfigured to perform operations that, for example, include:

-   -   a) converting the analog outbound data 134 into an analog        transmit signal 96;    -   b) driving the analog transmit signal 96 onto the bus 80,        wherein the analog outbound data 134 is represented within the        analog transmit signal 96 as variances in loading of the bus 80        at a first frequency;    -   c) receiving an analog receive signal 98 from the bus 80; and    -   d) isolating the analog receive signal 98 from the analog        transmit signal 96 to recover the analog inbound data 124,        wherein the analog inbound data 124 is represented within the        analog receive signal 98 as variances in loading of the bus 80        at a second frequency that differs from the first frequency.        Using the reference numerals of FIG. 12, the power source        circuit 154 is implemented via the regulated I (current) source        206, the change detection circuit 150 is implemented via the        comparator or operational amplifier 200. The regulation circuit        is implemented via the feedback path through the ADC 202 and DAC        204.

In various embodiments, the comparator or operational amplifier 200generates the analog inbound data 124 in response to the analog receivesignal 98 and the analog outbound data 134. The feedback path throughthe ADC 202 and DAC 204 generates the regulation signal 160 in responseto the analog inbound data 124. The regulated current source 206 isconfigured to generate the analog transmit signal 96 in response to theregulation signal 160.

The regulated I (current) source 206, the comparator or operationalamplifier 200 and the feedback path through the ADC 202 and DAC 204operate in concert to keep the inputs of the comparator or operationalamplifier 200 to substantially match (e.g., voltage to substantiallymatch, current to substantially match, impedance to substantiallymatch). The inputs to the change the comparator or operational amplifier200 include the analog outbound data 134 and the signals on the line(s)of the bus 80 (e.g., the analog RX signal 98 and the analog TX signal96).

When there is no analog RX signal, the only signal on the bus 80 is theanalog transmit signal 96. The analog transmit signal is created byadjusting the operation of the regulated current source 206, thecomparator or operational amplifier 200 and the feedback path throughthe ADC 202 and DAC 204 to match the analog outbound data 134. Since theanalog transmit signal 96 tracks the analog outbound data 134 within thedrive sense circuit 106, when there is no analog RX signal 98, theanalog inbound data 124 is a DC value.

When an analog RX signal 98 is being received, the regulated currentsource 206, the comparator or operational amplifier 200 and the feedbackpath through the ADC 202 and DAC 204 continue to operate in concert tokeep the inputs of the change detection circuit 150 to substantiallymatch. With the presence of the analog RX signal 98, the output of thecomparator or operational amplifier 200 will vary based on the analog RXsignal 98, which produces the analog inbound data 124. The feedback paththrough the ADC 202 and DAC 204 converts the analog inbound data 124into a regulation signal 160. The regulated current source 206 adjuststhe generation of its output (e.g., a regulated current) based on theregulation signal 160 to keep the inputs of the change detection circuit150 substantially matching.

FIGS. 18B, 19, 20, 21 and 22 are schematic block diagrams of otherembodiments of a drive sense circuit of an LVDC in accordance with thepresent invention. In FIG. 18B, another implementation of drive sensecircuit 106 is shown along with analog to digital converter 202—butomitting the digital to analog converter 204. In this case, theregulation circuit 152 is implemented via the feedback path directlyfrom the output of the comparator or operational amplifier 200.

In FIG. 19, an example implementation of the drive sense circuit 106 ofFIG. 13 is presented along with analog to digital converter 202 and thedigital to analog converter 204. The power source circuit 154 isimplemented via the regulated I (current) source 206, the changedetection circuit 150 is implemented via the comparator or operationalamplifier 200. The regulation circuit is implemented via the feedbackpath through the ADC 202 and DAC 204.

In FIG. 20, another implementation of drive sense circuit 106 of FIG. 13is shown along with analog to digital converter 202—but omitting thedigital to analog converter 204. In this case, the regulation circuit152 is implemented via the feedback path directly from the output of thecomparator or operational amplifier 200.

In FIG. 21, another implementation of drive sense circuit 106 of FIG. 13is shown along with analog to digital converter 202. In this case, thecomparator or operational amplifier 200 is implemented by operationalamplifier (op amp) 212. The regulated current source circuit 206 isreplaced by transistor T1 and current source 214. The regulation circuit152 is implemented via the feedback path directly from the output of theoperational amplifier 212. The transistor T1 is biased via bias voltage210 to comport with rail voltages of Vdd and 0 volts (ground). Theoscillating signal component of the analog transmit signal 96 and theanalog receive signal 98 can be in the range of 10 mv to 100 mv for lowpower operation.

In operation, the drive sense circuit 106 of FIG. 21 operates by:

-   -   a) converting the analog outbound data 134 at a frequency f1        into an analog transmit signal 96 (at f1);    -   b) driving the analog transmit signal 96 (at f1) onto the bus        80, wherein the analog outbound data 134 is represented within        the analog transmit signal 96 as variances in loading of the bus        80 at f1;    -   c) receiving an analog receive signal 98 at a frequency f2 from        the bus 80; and    -   d) isolating the analog receive signal 98 (at f2) from the        analog transmit signal 96 (at f1) to recover the analog inbound        data 124 (at f2), wherein the analog inbound data 124 is        represented within the analog receive signal 98 as variances in        loading of the bus 80 at f2.        It should be noted, that while the analog outbound data 134 and        the analog inbound data 124 are discussed above in conjunction        with differing, but single frequencies, in various embodiments        the analog outbound data 134 and the analog inbound data 124 may        each include multiple carriers and/or subcarrier frequencies        that each differ from one another.

In FIG. 22, a similar implementation of drive sense circuit 106 of FIG.21 is shown along with analog to digital converter 202. In thisimplementation however, the drive sense circuit of FIG. 12 isimplemented rather than the drive sense circuit of FIG. 13.

FIG. 23 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a signalgenerator of an LVDC in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, signal generator 220 is presented that, for example,functions as transmit digital to analog circuit 110 previouslydiscussed. In operation, the signal generator 220 converts digital data90, from a host device 104 for example, into the analog output data 134.

As shown in the accompanying analog time domain graph of a current ofvoltage signal, the analog outbound data 134 has an oscillatingcomponent 224 at the frequency f_TX and a DC component 222, an exampleof oscillating component 94 previously discussed. Furthermore, whileshown as a simple sinusoid at a single frequency for the purposes ofillustration, the oscillating component 224 conveys data via amplitudeshift keying, phase shift keying, frequency shift keying, quadratureamplitude modulation, quadrature phase shift keying, another modulationtechnique and/or a combination thereof.

FIG. 24 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a signalgenerator of an LVDC in accordance with the present invention. Inparticular, a signal generator 220 is shown that operates in conjunctionwith transmit clock circuit 170 and host device 104 to generate analogoutbound data 134 (at the data rate of the bus 80) in response to thetransmit digital data 90 (at the hist data rate). The signal generator220 includes digital to digital converter 230, output limited digital toanalog converter 232, DC (direct current) reference source 234 andsumming circuit 236. The transmit clock circuit 170 can be implementedas the transmit portion of clock circuit 138. The transmit clock circuit170 supplies at least two different clock signals, at least one clocksignal to the digital to digital converter 230 and at least one otherclock signal to the output limited digital to analog converter 232. Invarious embodiments, at least one clock signal is sent to the digital todigital converter 230 that has a frequency f_tx_host that is at the datarate of the host device 104. Furthermore, at least one other clocksignal sent to the output limited digital to analog converter 232 has afrequency f_tx that is at the data rate of the bus 80.

The digital to digital converter 230 is operable to convert transmitdigital data 90 into the digital input 238, wherein the transmit digitaldata 90 is synchronized to the clock rate of the host device 104 and thedigital input 238 is synchronized to the clock rate (a different clockrate) of the bus 80 to which the LVDC 26 is coupled. The DC referencesource 234 is operable to produce a DC component 222 that has amagnitude between the magnitudes of the power supply rails of the signalgenerator 220. The output limited digital to analog converter 232 isoperable to convert, for example on a n-bit-by-n-bit basis, the digitalinput 238 into an oscillating component 224 in an analog domain, whereinmagnitude of the oscillating component 224 is limited to a range that isless than a difference between the magnitudes of the power supply railsof the signal generator 220. For example, the magnitude of theoscillating component 224 can be in range of 5% to 75% of the differencebetween magnitudes of power supply rails. The oscillating component 224and the DC component 222 are combined by the summing circuit 236 toproduce the analog outbound data 134.

Example implementations of the output limited digital to analogconverter 232, including several optional functions and features arepresented in conjunction with the discussion of FIGS. 26-33 that follow.Example implementations of the digital to digital converter 230including several optional functions and features are presented inconjunction with the discussion of FIGS. 25, 27 and 31 that follow.

FIG. 25 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of adigital-to-digital converter of an LVDC in accordance with the presentinvention. In particular, an implementation of a digital to digitalconverter 230 is presented. As previously discussed, the digital todigital converter 230 is operable to convert transmit digital data 90into the digital input 238, wherein the transmit digital data 90 issynchronized to the clock rate of the host device 104 and the digitalinput 238 is synchronized to the clock rate (e.g. a different clockrate) of the bus 80 to which the LVDC 26 is coupled.

In operation, one or more transmit parameters 132 from the controller140 are used by the digital to digital converter 230 to synchronize thetransmit digital data 90 with a bus data rate (e.g., the data rate atwhich data is transmitted via a line of the bus 80) to produce a digitalinput 238 of m-bits per interval of the bus data rate, where “m” is aninteger greater than or equal to one. In general, the digital to digitalconverter 230 includes a n-bit to m-bit adjust circuit that convertersn-bits of the transmit digital data 90 received per interval of a datarate of the host into a series of m-bits for processing by the signalgenerator 220 during the interval, wherein n is equal to or greater thanm. Furthermore, one or more transmit parameters 132 from the controller140 are used by the digital to digital converter 230 to convert theformat of the transmit digital data 90 to conform with the digitalformatting of the bus 80.

In the example shown, m=1 and the digital input 238 corresponds to a1-bit digital input 248. The n-bits transmit digital data 90 are inputto a n-bit to 1-bit adjust circuit 240 which operates to serialize then-bit parallel input stream. The n-bits of transmit digital data 90 arealso input to a multiplexer (MUX) or other selector circuit 241. The MUXor other selector circuit 241 operates under control of one or moretransmit parameters 132 to produce 1-bit digital input stream 246 eitherfrom the output of the n-bit to 1-bit adjust 240 or directly from then-bits of transmit digital data 90, when for example, n=1 (or moregenerally, n=m).

The 1-bit digital input 246 is input to the digital format converter 242and the MUX or other selector circuit 243. The MUX or other selectorcircuit 243 operates under control of one or more transmit parameters132 to optionally convert the digital format of the 1-bit digital input246 via the digital format converter 242 or to leave the digital formatas-is by simply passing along the 1-bit digital input 246 withoutdigital format conversion. In this fashion, the digital data format canoptionally be converted, for example, from any one to any other of thedigital data formats presented in conjunction with FIG. 9.

The output of the MUX or other selector circuit 243 is input to the rateadjust circuit 244 and to the MUX or other selector circuit 245. Whenselected by the MUX or other selector circuit 243 in response to one ormore transmit parameters 132, the bit rate adjust circuit 244 operatesto adjust the bit rate to produce 1-bit digital input 248. In thisfashion, the bit rate of the 1-bit digital input 248 can be adjusted tocorrespond to the clock rate/bit rate of the bus 80.

In various embodiments, the digital format converter 242 and bit rateadjust circuit 244 can be implemented via look-up tables or othercircuits. The 1-bit adjust circuit 240 can be implemented via parallelto serial converter or other circuit. The frequency of the oscillatingcomponent 224 can be greater than or equal to the data rate of the 1-bitdigital input.

FIG. 26 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter of an LVDC in accordance with the presentinvention. In particular, the range limited DAC 232-1 is an example ofoutput limited digital to analog converter 232 that, along with othercomponents of a transmit digital to analog circuit 110, operates toconvert, transmit digital data 90 into analog outbound data 134.

The range limited DAC 232-1 is a 1-bit digital to analog converter thatoperates by: generating a first oscillation via a signal generator at afrequency f1 having first oscillation characteristics, such as thepeak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p1). A second oscillation having secondoscillation characteristics, such as the peak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p2),is generated by an amplifier with gain G1. The range limited DAC 232-1outputs either the first oscillation or the second oscillation on abit-by-bit basis under control of a MUX or selector circuit inaccordance with the 1-bit digital input 248 that conveys the transmitdigital data 90 to produce the oscillating component 224. In the exampleshown, V_(p-p1) represents a logic “0” of the transmit digital data 90and V_(p-p2) represents a logic “1” of the transmit digital data 90. Themagnitude of the first and second oscillations and/or V_(p-p1) andV_(p-p2) are limited to a range, either when generated or via anattenuator or other range limiter to be less than a difference betweenthe magnitudes of power supply rails.

FIG. 27 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter and a digital-to-digital converter of anLVDC in accordance with the present invention. In particular, thedigital to digital converter 230-1 is an example of digital to digitalconverter 230 that produces a 2-bit digital input 258. In the exampleshown, m=2 and the digital input 238 corresponds to a 2-bit digitalinput 258. The n-bits transmit digital data 90 are input to a n-bit to2-bit adjust circuit 250 which operates to serialize the n-bit parallelinput stream. The n-bits of transmit digital data 90 are also input to afirst multiplexer (MUX) or other selector circuit. The first MUX orother selector circuit operates under control of one or more transmitparameters 132 to produce 2-bit digital input stream 256 either from theoutput of the n-bit to 2-bit adjust circuit 250 or directly from then-bits of transmit digital data 90, when for example, n=2.

The 2-bit digital input 256 is input to the digital format converter 252and the second MUX or other selector circuit. The second MUX or otherselector circuit operates under control of one or more transmitparameters 132 to optionally convert the digital format of the 2-bitdigital input 256 via the digital format converter 252 or to leave thedigital format as-is by simply passing along the 2-bit digital input 256without digital format conversion. In this fashion, the digital dataformat can optionally be converted, for example, from any one to anyother of the digital data formats presented in conjunction with FIG. 9.

The output of second the MUX or other selector circuit is input to therate adjust circuit 254 and to the third MUX or other selector circuit.When selected by the third MUX or other selector circuit in response toone or more transmit parameters 132, the bit rate adjust circuit 254operates to adjust the bit rate to produce 2-bit digital input 258. Inthis fashion, the bit rate of the 2-bit digital input 258 can beadjusted to correspond to the clock rate/bit rate of the bus 80.

In various embodiments, the digital format converter 252 and bit rateadjust circuit 254 can be implemented via look-up tables or othercircuits. The 2-bit adjust circuit 250 can be implemented via parallelto serial converter and two-bit buffer or other circuit. The frequencyof the oscillating component 224 can be greater than or equal to thedata rate of the 2-bit digital input.

The range limited DAC 232-2 is an example of output limited digital toanalog converter 232 that, along with other components of a transmitdigital to analog circuit 110, operates to convert, transmit digitaldata 90 into analog outbound data 134. The range limited DAC 232-2 is a2-bit digital to analog converter (m=2) that operates by: generating afirst oscillation via a signal generator at a frequency f1 having firstoscillation characteristics, such as the peak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p1).A second oscillation having second oscillation characteristics, such asthe peak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p2), is generated by an amplifier withgain G1. A third oscillation having third oscillation characteristics,such as the peak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p3), is generated by an amplifierwith gain G2. A fourth oscillation having fourth oscillationcharacteristics, such as the peak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p4), is generatedby an amplifier with gain G3. The range limited DAC 232-2 outputs eitherthe first oscillation, the second oscillation, the third oscillation orthe fourth oscillation on a 2-bit by 2-bit basis under control of theMUX or selector circuit in accordance with the 2-bit digital input 258that conveys the transmit digital data 90 to produce the oscillatingcomponent 224. In the example shown, V_(p-p1) represents a logic “00” ofthe transmit digital data 90, V_(p-p2) represents a logic “01” of thetransmit digital data 90, V_(p-p3) represents a logic “10” of thetransmit digital data 90 and V_(p-p4) represents a logic “11” of thetransmit digital data 90. The magnitude of the first, second, third andfourth oscillations and/or V_(p-p1), V_(p-p2), V_(p-p3) and V_(p-p4) arelimited to a range, either when generated or via an attenuator or otherrange limiter to be less than a difference between the magnitudes ofpower supply rails.

FIG. 28 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter and a digital-to-digital converter of anLVDC in accordance with the present invention. In particular, the rangelimited DAC 232-3 is an example of output limited digital to analogconverter 232 that, along with other components of a transmit digital toanalog circuit 110, operates to convert, transmit digital data 90 intoanalog outbound data 134.

The range limited DAC 232-3 is a 1-bit digital to analog converter thatoperates by: generating a first oscillation via a signal generator at afrequency f1 having first oscillation characteristics, such as a 0°phase shift. A second oscillation having second oscillationcharacteristics, such as a 180° phase shift, is generated by a 180°phase shifter. The range limited DAC 232-3 outputs either the firstoscillation or the second oscillation on a bit-by-bit basis undercontrol of a MUX or selector circuit in accordance with the 1-bitdigital input 248 that conveys the transmit digital data 90 to producethe oscillating component 224. In the example shown, a 0° phase shiftrepresents a logic “0” of the transmit digital data 90 and a 180° phaseshift represents a logic “1” of the transmit digital data 90. Themagnitude of the first and second oscillations are limited to a range,either when generated or via an attenuator or other range limiter to beless than a difference between the magnitudes of power supply rails.

FIG. 29 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter and a digital-to-digital converter of anLVDC in accordance with the present invention. The range limited DAC232-4 is an example of output limited digital to analog converter 232that, along with other components of a transmit digital to analogcircuit 110, operates to convert, transmit digital data 90 into analogoutbound data 134.

The range limited DAC 232-4 is a 2-bit digital to analog converter (m=2)that operates by: generating a first oscillation via a signal generatorat a frequency f1 having first oscillation characteristics, such as a 0°phase shift. A second oscillation having second oscillationcharacteristics, such as a 90° phase shift, is generated by a 90° phaseshifter. A third oscillation having third oscillation characteristics,such as a 180° phase shift, is generated by a 180° phase shifter. Afourth oscillation having fourth oscillation characteristics, such as a270° phase shift, is generated by a 270° phase shifter. The rangelimited DAC 232-4 outputs either the first oscillation, the secondoscillation, the third oscillation or the fourth oscillation on a 2-bitby 2-bit basis (two bits at a time) under control of the MUX or selectorcircuit in accordance with the 2-bit digital input 258 that conveys thetransmit digital data 90 to produce the oscillating component 224. Inthe example shown, a 0° phase shift represents a logic “00” of thetransmit digital data 90, a 90° phase shift represents a logic “01” ofthe transmit digital data 90, a 180° phase shift represents a logic “10”of the transmit digital data 90 and a 270° phase shift represents alogic “11” of the transmit digital data 90. The magnitude of the first,second, third and fourth oscillations are limited to a range, eitherwhen generated or via an attenuator or other range limiter to be lessthan a difference between the magnitudes of power supply rails.

FIG. 30 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter and a digital-to-digital converter of anLVDC in accordance with the present invention. In particular, the rangelimited DAC 232-5 is an example of output limited digital to analogconverter 232 that, along with other components of a transmit digital toanalog circuit 110, operates to convert, transmit digital data 90 intoanalog outbound data 134.

The range limited DAC 232-5 is a 1-bit digital to analog converter thatoperates by: generating a first oscillation via a signal generatorhaving first oscillation characteristics, such as frequency f1. A secondoscillation having second oscillation characteristics, such as frequencyf2 is generated by another signal generator. The range limited DAC 232-5outputs either the first oscillation or the second oscillation on abit-by-bit basis under control of a MUX or selector circuit inaccordance with the 1-bit digital input 248 that conveys the transmitdigital data 90 to produce the oscillating component 224. In the exampleshown, f1 represents a logic “0” of the transmit digital data 90 and f2represents a logic “1” of the transmit digital data 90. The magnitude ofthe first and second oscillations are limited to a range, either whengenerated or via an attenuator or other range limiter to be less than adifference between the magnitudes of power supply rails.

FIG. 31 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter and a digital-to-digital converter of anLVDC in accordance with the present invention. In particular, thedigital to digital converter 230-2 is a further example of digital todigital converter 230 that produces a 2-bit digital input 258. In theexample shown, m=2 and the digital input 238 corresponds to a 2-bitdigital input 258 that can be separated into least significant bit (LSB)260 and most significant bit (MSB) 262.

The range limited DAC 232-6 is a 2-bit digital to analog converter andfurther example of DAC 232 that operates by: generating a firstoscillation via a signal generator at a frequency f1 having firstoscillation characteristics, such as the peak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p1).A second oscillation having second oscillation characteristics, such asthe peak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p2), is generated by an amplifier withgain G1. The MUX or other selection circuit 261 outputs, either thefirst oscillation or the second oscillation under control of a MUX orselector circuit in accordance with the LSB digital input 260.

The range limited DAC 232-6 further operates based on the selection ofeither the first oscillation or the second oscillation by: passing theselection of either the first oscillation or the second oscillation tothe MUX or other selection circuit 263 without a phase shift; and theselection of either the first oscillation or the second oscillation isfurther modified, such as a via 180° phase shift generated by a 180°phase shifter, and input to the MUX or other selection circuit 263. Therange limited DAC 232-6 outputs the selection of either the firstoscillation or the second oscillation with either a 0° or 180° phaseshift under control of the MUX or selector circuit 263 and in accordancewith the MSB digital input 262 to produce the oscillating component 224.In the example shown, a V_(p-p1) with 0° phase shift represents a logic“00” of the transmit digital data 90, a V_(p-p2) with 0° phase shiftrepresents a logic “01” of the transmit digital data 90, a V_(p-p1) with180° phase shift represents a logic “10” of the transmit digital data 90and a V_(p-p2) with 180° phase shift represents a logic “11” of thetransmit digital data 90. The magnitude of the any of these oscillatingcomponents are limited to a range, either when generated or via anattenuator or other range limiter to be less than a difference betweenthe magnitudes of power supply rails.

FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter and a digital-to-digital converter of anLVDC in accordance with the present invention. The range limited DAC232-7 is a 2-bit digital to analog converter and further example of DAC232 that operates by generating a first oscillation at a frequency f1having first oscillation characteristics, such as frequency f1 and thepeak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p1) via a signal generator. A secondoscillation having second oscillation characteristics, such as frequencyf2 and the peak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p1), is generated by a secondsignal generator. The MUX or other selection circuit 261 outputs, eitherthe first oscillation or the second oscillation on under control of aMUX or selector circuit in accordance with the LSB digital input 260.

The range limited DAC 232-7 further operates based on the selection ofeither the first oscillation or the second oscillation by: passing theselection of either the first oscillation or the second oscillation tothe MUX or other selection circuit 263; and the selection of either thefirst oscillation or the second oscillation is further modified via anamplifier with gain G1 to modify the peak-to-peak voltage to V_(p-p2)and is input to the MUX or other selection circuit 263. The rangelimited DAC 232-7 outputs the selection of either the first oscillationor the second oscillation with a peak-to-peak voltage of either V_(p-p2)1 or V_(p-p2) under control of the MUX or selector circuit 263 and inaccordance with the MSB digital input 262 to produce the oscillatingcomponent 224. In the example shown, a V_(p-p1) with frequency f1represents a logic “00” of the transmit digital data 90, a V_(p-p2) withfrequency f1 represents a logic “01” of the transmit digital data 90, aV_(p-p1) with frequency f2 represents a logic “10” of the transmitdigital data 90 and a V_(p-p2) with frequency f2 represents a logic “11”of the transmit digital data 90. The magnitude of the any of theseoscillating components are limited to a range, either when generated orvia an attenuator or other range limiter to be less than a differencebetween the magnitudes of power supply rails.

FIG. 33 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter and a digital-to-digital converter of anLVDC in accordance with the present invention. The range limited DAC232-8 is a 2-bit digital to analog converter and further example of DAC232 that operates by generating a first oscillation at a frequency f1having first oscillation characteristics, such as frequency f1 and thepeak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p1) via a signal generator. A secondoscillation having second oscillation characteristics, such as frequencyf2 and the peak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p1), is generated by a secondsignal generator. The MUX or other selection circuit 261 outputs, eitherthe first oscillation or the second oscillation on under control of aMUX or selector circuit in accordance with the LSB digital input 260.

The range limited DAC 232-8 further operates based on the selection ofeither the first oscillation or the second oscillation by: passing theselection of either the first oscillation or the second oscillation tothe MUX or other selection circuit 263; and the selection of either thefirst oscillation or the second oscillation, is further modified via a180° phase shifter and is input to the MUX or other selection circuit263. The range limited DAC 232-8 outputs the selection of either thefirst oscillation or the second oscillation with either a 0° phase shiftor a 180° phase shift under control of the MUX or selector circuit 263and in accordance with the MSB digital input 262 to produce theoscillating component 224. In the example shown, a 0° phase shift withfrequency f1 represents a logic “00” of the transmit digital data 90, a0° phase shift with frequency f12 represents a logic “01” of thetransmit digital data 90, a 180° phase shift with frequency f1represents a logic “10” of the transmit digital data 90 and a 180° phaseshift with frequency f2 represents a logic “11” of the transmit digitaldata 90. The magnitude of the any of these oscillating components arelimited to a range, either when generated or via an attenuator or otherrange limiter to be less than a difference between the magnitudes ofpower supply rails.

FIG. 34 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a range limiteddigital-to-analog converter of an LVDC in accordance with the presentinvention. The output limited DAC 232-9 is an n-bit digital to analogconverter and further example of DAC 232. The n-bit to parallel 1-bitconverter separates a n-bit digital input 278 such as transmit digitaldata 90 or other n-bit digital input signal into is individual bits frommost significant to least significant bits including a MSB bit, a MSB-1bit, . . . a LSB bit.

The output limited DAC 232-9 operates for the MSB bit by: generating afirst oscillation via a signal generator at a frequency fi having firstoscillation characteristics, such as the peak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p1).A second oscillation having second oscillation characteristics, such asthe peak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p2), is generated by an amplifier withgain G1. The range limited DAC 232-9 outputs either the firstoscillation or the second oscillation on a bit-by-bit basis undercontrol of a MUX or selector circuit in accordance with the MSB bit ofthe n-bit digital input 278, at bit rate adjusted by the bit rate adjustcircuit 272 to produce a first component of the oscillating component224. In the example shown, V_(p-p1) represents a logic “0” of the MSBbit of the n-bit digital input 278 and V_(p-p2) represents a logic “1”of the MSB bit of the n-bit digital input 278. The magnitude of thefirst and second oscillations and/or V_(p-p1) and V_(p-p2) are limitedto a range, either when generated or via an attenuator or other rangelimiter to be less than a difference between the magnitudes of powersupply rails.

The output limited DAC 232-9 operates for the MSB-1 bit by: generating afirst oscillation via a signal generator at a frequency fi+1 havingfirst oscillation characteristics, such as the peak-to-peak voltageV_(p-p1). A second oscillation having second oscillationcharacteristics, such as the peak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p2), is generatedby an amplifier with gain G1. The range limited DAC 232-9 outputs eitherthe first oscillation or the second oscillation on a bit-by-bit basisunder control of a MUX or selector circuit in accordance with the MSB-1bit of the n-bit digital input 278, at bit rate adjusted by the bit rateadjust circuit 274 to produce a second component of the oscillatingcomponent 224. In the example shown, V_(p-p1) represents a logic “0” ofthe MSB-1 bit of the n-bit digital input 278 and V_(p-p2) represents alogic “1” of the MSB-1 bit of the n-bit digital input 278. Again, themagnitude of the first and second oscillations and/or V_(p-p1) andV_(p-p2) are limited to a range, either when generated or via anattenuator or other range limiter to be less than a difference betweenthe magnitudes of power supply rails.

And so on for the remaining bits of the n-bit digital input 178.Considering the final bit, the output limited DAC 232-9 operates for theLSB bit by: generating a first oscillation via a signal generator at afrequency fi+n having first oscillation characteristics, such as thepeak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p1). A second oscillation having secondoscillation characteristics, such as the peak-to-peak voltage V_(p-p2),is generated by an amplifier with gain G1. The range limited DAC 232-9outputs either the first oscillation or the second oscillation on abit-by-bit basis under control of a MUX or selector circuit inaccordance with the LSB bit of the n-bit digital input 278, at bit rateadjusted by the bit rate adjust circuit 276 to produce the nth componentof the oscillating component 224. In the example shown, V_(p-p1)represents a logic “0” of the LSB bit of the n-bit digital input 278 andV_(p-p2) represents a logic “1” of the LSB bit of the n-bit digitalinput 278. Again, the magnitude of the first and second oscillationsand/or V_(p-p1) and V_(p-p2) are limited to a range, either whengenerated or via an attenuator or other range limiter to be less than adifference between the magnitudes of power supply rails. In variousembodiments, the bit rate adjust circuits 272, 274 and 276 can beimplemented via a look-up table or other circuit.

While the descriptions above have provided several combinations of ASK,PSK and FSK for conversion of transmit digital data 90 into variouscombinations of m-bit analog outbound data 134 as merely examples, theLVDC 26 can operate via other combinations within the broad scope of thepresent invention. Furthermore, other modulation techniques and multipleaccess techniques including QPSK, QAM, orthogonal frequency divisionalmultiplexing, and time divisional multiplexing can likewise be employed.

While many of the foregoing examples have included an amplifier having again such as G1, G2, etc. It should be noted that one or more of thesecircuit components could be implemented via an attenuation circuit viapassive components. In this case, these circuits would have a gain Githat is less than one.

FIG. 35 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordancewith the present invention. In particular, a method is presented for usewith one or more functions and features described in conjunction withFIGS. 1-34. Step 400 includes converting, via a transmit analog todigital circuit, transmit digital data into analog outbound data. Step402 includes converting, via an receive analog to digital circuit,analog inbound data into received digital data. Step 404 includesconverting, via a drive sense circuit, the analog outbound data into ananalog transmit signal. Step 406 includes driving, via the drive sensecircuit, the analog transmit signal onto a bus, wherein the analogoutbound data is represented within the analog transmit signal asvariances in loading of the bus at a first frequency. Step 408 includesreceiving, via the drive sense circuit, an analog receive signal fromthe bus. Step 410 includes isolating, via the drive sense circuit, theanalog receive signal from the analog transmit signal to recover theanalog inbound data, wherein the analog inbound data is representedwithin the analog receive signal as variances in loading of the bus at asecond frequency.

In various embodiments, the method further includes setting transmitparameters of the transmit analog to digital circuit, wherein thetransmit analog to digital circuit converts the transmit digital datainto the analog outbound data in accordance with the transmit parametersand/or setting receive parameters of the receive analog to digitalcircuit, wherein the receive analog to digital circuit converts theanalog inbound data into the received digital data in accordance withthe receive parameters. The method can also include generating, via aclock circuit, a receive clock signal and a transmit clock signal,wherein the transmit analog to digital circuit converts the transmitdigital data into the analog outbound data in accordance with thetransmit clock signal and wherein the receive analog to digital circuitconverts the analog inbound data into the received digital data inaccordance with the receive clock signal and generating a clock controlsignal, wherein the clock circuit generates the receive clock signal andthe transmit clock signal in accordance with the clock control signal.

In various embodiments, the drive sense circuit comprises: a changedetection circuit configured to generate the analog inbound data inresponse to the analog receive signal and the analog outbound data; aregulation circuit configured to generate a regulation signal inresponse to the analog inbound data; and a power source circuitconfigured to generate the analog transmit signal in response to theregulation signal. The change detection circuit can include anoperational amplifier or a comparator. The power source circuit caninclude a regulated current source configured to generate the analogtransmit signal in response to the regulation signal. The drive sensecircuit can include: a change detection circuit configured to generatethe analog inbound data in response to the analog receive signal, ananalog reference signal and the analog outbound data; a regulationcircuit configured to generate a regulation signal in response to theanalog inbound data; and a power source circuit configured to generatethe analog transmit signal in response to the regulation signal.

FIG. 36 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordancewith the present invention. In particular, a method is presented for usewith one or more functions and features described in conjunction withFIGS. 1-35. Step 420 includes converting, via a transmit analog todigital circuit that includes an output limited digital to analogconverter, transmit digital data into analog outbound data by:generating a DC component that has a magnitude between magnitudes ofpower supply rails of the transmit analog to digital circuit; andgenerating, via the output limited digital to analog converter, anoscillating component at a first frequency that conveys the transmitdigital data, wherein magnitude of the oscillating component is limitedto a range that is less than a difference between the magnitudes ofpower supply rails, and wherein the oscillating component and the DCcomponent are combined to produce the analog outbound data. Step 422includes converting, via an receive analog to digital circuit, analoginbound data into received digital data. Step 424 includes converting,via a drive sense circuit, the analog outbound data into an analogtransmit signal. Step 426 includes driving, via the drive sense circuit,the analog transmit signal onto a bus, wherein the analog outbound datais represented within the analog transmit signal as variances in loadingof the bus at the first frequency. Step 428 includes receiving, via thedrive sense circuit, an analog receive signal from the bus. Step 430includes isolating, via the drive sense circuit, the analog receivesignal from the analog transmit signal to recover the analog inbounddata, wherein the analog inbound data is represented within the analogreceive signal as variances in loading of the bus at a second frequency.

In various embodiments, the method can further include: setting transmitparameters of the transmit digital to analog circuit, wherein thetransmit digital to analog circuit converts the transmit digital datainto the analog outbound data in accordance with the transmitparameters; setting receive parameters of the receive analog to digitalcircuit, wherein the receive analog to digital circuit converts theanalog inbound data into the received digital data in accordance withthe receive parameters; generating, via a clock circuit, a receive clocksignal and a transmit clock signal, wherein the transmit analog todigital circuit converts the transmit digital data into the analogoutbound data in accordance with the transmit clock signal and whereinthe receive analog to digital circuit converts the analog inbound datainto the received digital data in accordance with the receive clocksignal; generating a clock control signal, wherein the clock circuitgenerates the receive clock signal and the transmit clock signal inaccordance with the clock control signal.

In various embodiments, the drive sense circuit comprises: a changedetection circuit configured to generate the analog inbound data inresponse to the analog receive signal and the analog outbound data; aregulation circuit configured to generate a regulation signal inresponse to the analog inbound data; and a power source circuitconfigured to generate the analog transmit signal in response to theregulation signal. The change detection circuit can include anoperational amplifier or a comparator. The power source circuit caninclude a regulated current source configured to generate the analogtransmit signal in response to the regulation signal.

In various embodiments, the oscillating component at the first frequencyconveys the transmit digital data via an amplitude shift keying or aphase shift keying.

FIG. 37 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordancewith the present invention. In particular, a method is presented for usewith one or more functions and features described in conjunction withFIGS. 1-36. Step 438 includes converting, via a digital to digitalconverter, transmit digital data into a digital input signal, whereinthe transmit digital data is synchronized to a clock rate of a hostdevice and the digital input signal is synchronized to a clock rate of abus to which a LVDC is coupled. Step 440 includes converting, via anoutput limited digital to analog converter, the digital input signalinto analog outbound data by: generating a DC component; and convertingthe digital input signal into an oscillating component at a firstfrequency, wherein magnitude of the oscillating component is limited toa range that is less than a difference between the magnitudes of powersupply rails, and wherein the oscillating component and the DC componentare combined to produce the analog outbound data.

Step 442 includes converting, via an receive analog to digital circuit,analog inbound data into received digital data. Step 444 includesconverting, via a drive sense circuit, the analog outbound data into ananalog transmit signal. Step 446 includes driving, via the drive sensecircuit, the analog transmit signal onto a bus, wherein the analogoutbound data is represented within the analog transmit signal asvariances in loading of the bus at the first frequency. Step 448includes receiving, via the drive sense circuit, an analog receivesignal from the bus. Step 450 includes isolating, via the drive sensecircuit, the analog receive signal from the analog transmit signal torecover the analog inbound data, wherein the analog inbound data isrepresented within the analog receive signal as variances in loading ofthe bus at a second frequency.

In various embodiments, the digital to digital converter includes ann-bit to m-bit adjust circuit that converts n-bits of the transmitdigital data received per interval of the clock rate of the host deviceinto a series of m-bits. The method can further include setting transmitparameters of the transmit digital to analog circuit, wherein thedigital to digital converter converts, based on the transmit parameters,a format of the transmit digital data to conform with a digitalformatting of the bus to which the LVDC is coupled.

In various embodiments, the digital to digital converter can furtherinclude a first selector circuit configured to operate under control ofone or more of the transmit parameters to produce an m-bit digital inputselectively from the output of the n-bit to m-bit adjust circuit, when mis not equal to m and directly from the n-bits of the transmit digitaldata, when n is equal to m. The digital to digital converter can furtherinclude digital format converter and a second selector circuitconfigured to operate under control of one or more of the transmitparameters to selectively convert, via the digital format converter, adigital format of the m-bit digital input in a first mode of operationand to not convert the digital format of the m-bit digital input in asecond mode of operation. The digital to digital converter can furtherinclude a rate adjust circuit and a third selector circuit, configuredto operate under control of one or more of the transmit parameters toselectively adjust via the rate adjust circuit, an output of the secondselector circuit to produce the m-bit digital input and to selectivelynot adjust, in a fourth mode of operation, the output of the secondselector circuit to produce the m-bit digital input, based on the clockrate of the clock rate of the host device.

In various embodiments, the method can further include setting receiveparameters of the receive analog to digital circuit, wherein the receiveanalog to digital circuit converts the analog inbound data into thereceived digital data in accordance with the receive parameters. Thedrive sense circuit can include a change detection circuit configured togenerate the analog inbound data in response to the analog receivesignal and the analog outbound data; a regulation circuit configured togenerate a regulation signal in response to the analog inbound data; anda power source circuit configured to generate the analog transmit signalin response to the regulation signal. The change detection circuit caninclude an operational amplifier or a comparator. The power sourcecircuit can include a regulated current source configured to generatethe analog transmit signal in response to the regulation signal.

FIG. 38 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordancewith the present invention. In particular, a method is presented for usewith one or more functions and features described in conjunction withFIGS. 1-37. Step 460 includes converting, via a transmit analog todigital circuit that includes an output limited digital to analogconverter, transmit digital data into analog outbound data by:generating a DC component that has a magnitude between magnitudes ofpower supply rails of the transmit analog to digital circuit; generatinga first oscillation having first oscillation characteristics; generatinga second oscillation having second oscillation characteristics, whereinmagnitude of the first and second oscillations is limited to a rangethat is less than a difference between the magnitudes of power supplyrails; and outputting the first oscillation or the second oscillation ona bit-by-bit basis in accordance with the transmit digital data toproduce an oscillating component, wherein the DC component is combinedwith the oscillating component to produce the analog outbound data.

Step 462 includes converting, via an receive analog to digital circuit,analog inbound data into received digital data. Step 464 includesconverting, via a drive sense circuit, the analog outbound data into ananalog transmit signal. Step 466 includes driving, via the drive sensecircuit, the analog transmit signal onto a bus, wherein the analogoutbound data is represented within the analog transmit signal asvariances in loading of the bus in a first frequency range. Step 468includes receiving, via the drive sense circuit, an analog receivesignal from the bus. Step 470 includes isolating, via the drive sensecircuit, the analog receive signal from the analog transmit signal torecover the analog inbound data, wherein the analog inbound data isrepresented within the analog receive signal as variances in loading ofthe bus in a second frequency range.

FIG. 39 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordancewith the present invention. In particular, a method is presented for usewith one or more functions and features described in conjunction withFIGS. 1-38. Step 480 includes converting, via a transmit analog todigital circuit that includes an output limited digital to analogconverter, transmit digital data into analog outbound data by:generating a DC component that has a magnitude between magnitudes ofpower supply rails of the transmit analog to digital circuit; generatinga plurality of oscillations, wherein each oscillation of the pluralityof oscillations has unique oscillation characteristics, whereinmagnitude of each of the plurality of oscillations is limited to a rangethat is less than a difference between the magnitudes of power supplyrails; and outputting one of the plurality of oscillations on abit-by-bit basis in accordance with the transmit digital data to producean oscillating component, wherein the DC component is combined with theoscillating component to produce the analog outbound data.

Step 482 includes converting, via an receive analog to digital circuit,analog inbound data into received digital data. Step 484 includesconverting, via a drive sense circuit, the analog outbound data into ananalog transmit signal. Step 486 includes driving, via the drive sensecircuit, the analog transmit signal onto a bus, wherein the analogoutbound data is represented within the analog transmit signal asvariances in loading of the bus in a first frequency range. Step 488includes receiving, via the drive sense circuit, an analog receivesignal from the bus. Step 490 includes isolating, via the drive sensecircuit, the analog receive signal from the analog transmit signal torecover the analog inbound data, wherein the analog inbound data isrepresented within the analog receive signal as variances in loading ofthe bus in a second frequency range.

FIG. 40 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method in accordancewith the present invention. In particular, a method is presented for usewith one or more functions and features described in conjunction withFIGS. 1-39. Step 500 includes converting, via a transmit analog todigital circuit that includes an output limited digital to analogconverter, transmit digital data into analog outbound data by:generating a DC component that has a magnitude between magnitudes ofpower supply rails of the transmit analog to digital circuit; generatinga first plurality of oscillations, wherein each oscillation of the firstplurality of oscillations has first unique oscillation characteristics;outputting one of the first plurality of oscillations on ann-bit-by-n-bit basis in accordance with a first portion of the transmitdigital data to produce a first selected oscillation; generating asecond plurality of oscillations based on the first selectedoscillation, wherein each oscillation of the second plurality ofoscillations has second unique oscillation characteristics; andoutputting one of the second plurality of oscillations on ann-bit-by-n-bit basis in accordance with a second portion of the transmitdigital data to produce an oscillating component, wherein the DCcomponent is combined with the oscillating component to produce theanalog outbound data.

Step 502 includes converting, via an receive analog to digital circuit,analog inbound data into received digital data. Step 504 includesconverting, via a drive sense circuit, the analog outbound data into ananalog transmit signal. Step 506 includes driving, via the drive sensecircuit, the analog transmit signal onto a bus, wherein the analogoutbound data is represented within the analog transmit signal asvariances in loading of the bus in a first frequency range. Step 508includes receiving, via the drive sense circuit, an analog receivesignal from the bus. Step 510 includes isolating, via the drive sensecircuit, the analog receive signal from the analog transmit signal torecover the analog inbound data, wherein the analog inbound data isrepresented within the analog receive signal as variances in loading ofthe bus in a second frequency range.

It is noted that terminologies as may be used herein such as bit stream,stream, signal sequence, etc. (or their equivalents) have been usedinterchangeably to describe digital information whose contentcorresponds to any of a number of desired types (e.g., data, video,speech, text, graphics, audio, etc. any of which may generally bereferred to as ‘data’).

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provide an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term and/orrelativity between items. For some industries, an industry-acceptedtolerance is less than one percent and, for other industries, theindustry-accepted tolerance is 10 percent or more. Other examples ofindustry-accepted tolerance range from less than one percent to fiftypercent. Industry-accepted tolerances correspond to, but are not limitedto, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperaturevariations, rise and fall times, thermal noise, dimensions, signalingerrors, dropped packets, temperatures, pressures, material compositions,and/or performance metrics. Within an industry, tolerance variances ofaccepted tolerances may be more or less than a percentage level (e.g.,dimension tolerance of less than +/−1%). Some relativity between itemsmay range from a difference of less than a percentage level to a fewpercent. Other relativity between items may range from a difference of afew percent to magnitude of differences.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “configured to”, “operablycoupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includes direct couplingbetween items and/or indirect coupling between items via an interveningitem (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, anelement, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for an example of indirectcoupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of asignal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or powerlevel. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where oneelement is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct andindirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”.

As may even further be used herein, the term “configured to”, “operableto”, “coupled to”, or “operably coupled to” indicates that an itemincludes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., toperform, when activated, one or more its corresponding functions and mayfurther include inferred coupling to one or more other items. As maystill further be used herein, the term “associated with”, includesdirect and/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item beingembedded within another item.

As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicates that acomparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desiredrelationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparison may beachieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1. As maybe used herein, the term “compares unfavorably”, indicates that acomparison between two or more items, signals, etc., fails to providethe desired relationship.

As may be used herein, one or more claims may include, in a specificform of this generic form, the phrase “at least one of a, b, and c” orof this generic form “at least one of a, b, or c”, with more or lesselements than “a”, “b”, and “c”. In either phrasing, the phrases are tobe interpreted identically. In particular, “at least one of a, b, and c”is equivalent to “at least one of a, b, or c” and shall mean a, b,and/or c. As an example, it means: “a” only, “b” only, “c” only, “a” and“b”, “a” and “c”, “b” and “c”, and/or “a”, “b”, and “c”.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “processingcircuit”, “processor”, “processing circuitry”, and/or “processing unit”may be a single processing device or a plurality of processing devices.Such a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller,digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device thatmanipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of thecircuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing module,module, processing circuit, processing circuitry, and/or processing unitmay be, or further include, memory and/or an integrated memory element,which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices,and/or embedded circuitry of another processing module, module,processing circuit, processing circuitry, and/or processing unit. Such amemory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flashmemory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores digital information.Note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,processing circuitry, and/or processing unit includes more than oneprocessing device, the processing devices may be centrally located(e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless busstructure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing viaindirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network).Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,processing circuitry and/or processing unit implements one or more ofits functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,and/or logic circuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing thecorresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, orexternal to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further notethat, the memory element may store, and the processing module, module,processing circuit, processing circuitry and/or processing unitexecutes, hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding to atleast some of the steps and/or functions illustrated in one or more ofthe Figures. Such a memory device or memory element can be included inan article of manufacture.

One or more embodiments have been described above with the aid of methodsteps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claims. Further, the boundariesof these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined forconvenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined aslong as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed.Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily definedherein to illustrate certain significant functionality.

To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence couldhave been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significantfunctionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional buildingblocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scopeand spirit of the claims. One of average skill in the art will alsorecognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrativeblocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustratedor by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits,processors executing appropriate software and the like or anycombination thereof.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with one or more other routines. In addition, a flow diagrammay include an “end” and/or “continue” indication. The “end” and/or“continue” indications reflect that the steps presented can end asdescribed and shown or optionally be incorporated in or otherwise usedin conjunction with one or more other routines. In this context, “start”indicates the beginning of the first step presented and may be precededby other activities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue”indication reflects that the steps presented may be performed multipletimes and/or may be succeeded by other activities not specificallyshown. Further, while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering ofsteps, other orderings are likewise possible provided that theprinciples of causality are maintained.

The one or more embodiments are used herein to illustrate one or moreaspects, one or more features, one or more concepts, and/or one or moreexamples. A physical embodiment of an apparatus, an article ofmanufacture, a machine, and/or of a process may include one or more ofthe aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described with referenceto one or more of the embodiments discussed herein. Further, from figureto figure, the embodiments may incorporate the same or similarly namedfunctions, steps, modules, etc. that may use the same or differentreference numbers and, as such, the functions, steps, modules, etc. maybe the same or similar functions, steps, modules, etc. or differentones.

While the transistors in the above described figure(s) is/are shown asfield effect transistors (FETs), as one of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate, the transistors may be implemented using any type oftransistor structure including, but not limited to, bipolar, metal oxidesemiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET), N-well transistors,P-well transistors, enhancement mode, depletion mode, and zero voltagethreshold (VT) transistors.

Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/orbetween elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein maybe analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-endedor differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as asingle-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path.Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it alsorepresents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particulararchitectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise beimplemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, directconnectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between otherelements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of one or more of theembodiments. A module implements one or more functions via a device suchas a processor or other processing device or other hardware that mayinclude or operate in association with a memory that stores operationalinstructions. A module may operate independently and/or in conjunctionwith software and/or firmware. As also used herein, a module may containone or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more modules.

As may further be used herein, a computer readable memory includes oneor more memory elements. A memory element may be a separate memorydevice, multiple memory devices, or a set of memory locations within amemory device. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, randomaccess memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory,dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device thatstores digital information. The memory device may be in a form asolid-state memory, a hard drive memory, cloud memory, thumb drive,server memory, computing device memory, and/or other physical medium forstoring digital information.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of theone or more embodiments have been expressly described herein, othercombinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. Thepresent disclosure is not limited by the particular examples disclosedherein and expressly incorporates these other combinations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A low voltage drive circuit (LVDC) comprises: adigital to digital converter configured to convert transmit digital datainto a digital input signal; an output limited digital to analogconverter configured to convert the digital input signal into analogoutbound data by generating a DC component and converting the digitalinput signal into an oscillating component at a first frequency, whereinmagnitude of the oscillating component is limited to a range that isless than a difference between magnitudes of power supply rails of theLVDS, and wherein the oscillating component and the DC component arecombined to produce the analog outbound data; a receive analog todigital circuit configured to convert analog inbound data into receiveddigital data; and a drive sense circuit configured to: convert theanalog outbound data into an analog transmit signal; drive the analogtransmit signal onto a bus, wherein the analog outbound data isrepresented within the analog transmit signal as variances in loading ofthe bus at a first frequency; and recover the analog inbound data froman analog receive signal as variances in loading of the bus in a secondfrequency range.
 2. The LVDC of claim 1 wherein the digital to digitalconverter includes an n-bit to m-bit adjust circuit that converts n-bitsof the transmit digital data received per interval of a clock rate of ahost device into a series of m-bits.
 3. The LVDC of claim 2 furthercomprises: a controller configured to set transmit parameters, whereinthe digital to digital converter converts, based on the transmitparameters, a format of the transmit digital data to conform with adigital formatting of the bus.
 4. The LVDC of claim 3 wherein thedigital to digital converter further includes a first selector circuitconfigured to operate under control of one or more of the transmitparameters to produce an m-bit digital input selectively from the outputof the n-bit to m-bit adjust circuit, when m is not equal to m anddirectly from the n-bits of the transmit digital data, when n is equalto m.
 5. The LVDC of claim 4 wherein the digital to digital converterfurther includes digital format converter and a second selector circuitconfigured to operate under control of one or more of the transmitparameters to selectively convert, via the digital format converter, adigital format of the m-bit digital input in a first mode of operationand to not convert the digital format of the m-bit digital input in asecond mode of operation.
 6. The LVDC of claim 5 wherein the digital todigital converter further includes a rate adjust circuit and a thirdselector circuit, configured to operate under control of one or more ofthe transmit parameters to selectively adjust via the rate adjustcircuit, an output of the second selector circuit to produce the m-bitdigital input and to selectively not adjust, in a fourth mode ofoperation, the output of the second selector circuit to produce them-bit digital input, based on the clock rate of the clock rate of thehost device.
 7. The LVDC of claim 3, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to set receive parameters of the receive analog to digitalcircuit, wherein the receive analog to digital circuit converts theanalog inbound data into the received digital data in accordance withthe receive parameters.
 8. The LVDC of claim 1, wherein the drive sensecircuit comprises: a change detection circuit configured to generate theanalog inbound data in response to the analog receive signal and theanalog outbound data; a regulation circuit configured to generate aregulation signal in response to the analog inbound data; and a powersource circuit configured to generate the analog transmit signal inresponse to the regulation signal.
 9. The LVDC of claim 8, wherein thechange detection circuit includes an operational amplifier or acomparator.
 10. The LVDC of claim 8, wherein the power source circuitincludes a regulated current source configured to generate the analogtransmit signal in response to the regulation signal.
 11. A method foruse in a low voltage drive circuit (LVDC) comprises: converting, via adigital to digital converter, transmit digital data into a digital inputsignal; converting, via an output limited digital to analog converter,the digital input signal into analog outbound data by: generating a DCcomponent; and converting the digital input signal into an oscillatingcomponent at a first frequency, wherein magnitude of the oscillatingcomponent is limited to a range that is less than a difference betweenmagnitudes of power supply rails of the LVDC, and wherein theoscillating component and the DC component are combined to produce theanalog outbound data; converting, via an receive analog to digitalcircuit, analog inbound data into received digital data; and converting,via a drive sense circuit, the analog outbound data into an analogtransmit signal; driving, via the drive sense circuit, the analogtransmit signal onto a bus, wherein the analog outbound data isrepresented within the analog transmit signal as variances in loading ofthe bus at a first frequency; and recovering the analog inbound datafrom an analog receive signal as variances in loading of the bus in asecond frequency range.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the digitalto digital converter includes an n-bit to m-bit adjust circuit thatconverts n-bits of the transmit digital data received per interval of aclock rate of a host device into a series of m-bits.
 13. The method ofclaim 12 further comprises: setting transmit parameters of the transmitdigital to analog circuit, wherein the digital to digital converterconverts, based on the transmit parameters, a format of the transmitdigital data to conform with a digital formatting of the bus.
 14. Themethod of claim 13 wherein the digital to digital converter furtherincludes a first selector circuit configured to operate under control ofone or more of the transmit parameters to produce an m-bit digital inputselectively from the output of the n-bit to m-bit adjust circuit, when mis not equal to m and directly from the n-bits of the transmit digitaldata, when n is equal to m.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein thedigital to digital converter further includes digital format converterand a second selector circuit configured to operate under control of oneor more of the transmit parameters to selectively convert, via thedigital format converter, a digital format of the m-bit digital input ina first mode of operation and to not convert the digital format of them-bit digital input in a second mode of operation.
 16. The method ofclaim 15 wherein the digital to digital converter further includes arate adjust circuit and a third selector circuit, configured to operateunder control of one or more of the transmit parameters to selectivelyadjust via the rate adjust circuit, an output of the second selectorcircuit to produce the m-bit digital input and to selectively notadjust, in a fourth mode of operation, the output of the second selectorcircuit to produce the m-bit digital input, based on the clock rate ofthe clock rate of the host device.
 17. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: setting receive parameters of the receive analog to digitalcircuit, wherein the receive analog to digital circuit converts theanalog inbound data into the received digital data in accordance withthe receive parameters.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein the drivesense circuit comprises: a change detection circuit configured togenerate the analog inbound data in response to the analog receivesignal and the analog outbound data; a regulation circuit configured togenerate a regulation signal in response to the analog inbound data; anda power source circuit configured to generate the analog transmit signalin response to the regulation signal.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein the change detection circuit includes an operational amplifieror a comparator.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the power sourcecircuit includes a regulated current source configured to generate theanalog transmit signal in response to the regulation signal.